Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has asked the authorities to end unofficial drink breaks for fast bowlers in international cricket. Notably, apart from the official drink breaks during a game, teams also provide drinks to their fast bowlers near the boundary line to keep them hydrated.
Giving his views on the practice, Gavaskar feels that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the practice. The 75-year-old further questioned the player’s fitness levels that they need hydration after just six deliveries as opposed to batters who have to wait till the official drinks break.
“In cricket, the modern practice of bowlers, especially the quick ones, getting a refreshing drink on the boundary line where they go to field after completing their over is an example of the authorities turning a blind eye to the practice. Why have the drinks interval then if bowlers are going to get themselves hydrated after going flat out for six deliveries? Mind you, the batter doesn’t get the chance to have a drink after an over where they may have taken eight runs or so, which are all run,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
Notably, Gavaskar previously suggested doing away with the drinks break for bowlers after ICC abolished the rules of allowing runners for injured batters. He further suggested to go back to the old ways of taking a drinks break.
